Liquid seal between spaces in which different pressures prevail



Aug. 12, 1930. E. ALTEN'KIRCH LIQUID SEAL BETWEEN SPACES IN WHICHDIFFERENT PRESSURES PREVAIL Filed July 9, 1928 6 Z a 4 E Z a f 9 7 7 i vQ 7 MM M Patented Aug. 12, 1930 UNITED "STATES. PATENT oFFIcE' EDMUNDALTENKIRCH, OF ALT-LANDSBERG-SUD, GERMANY, A SSIGNOR TO'SIEMENS-SCHUCKERTWERKE AKTIENGESELLSGHAFT, OF BEBLIN-SIEMEN'SS'IADT, GERMANY,

A CORPORATION OF GERMANY LIQUID SEAL BETWEEN SPACES IN WHICH'DIFFEREHTPRESSURE? IPBEVAIL Application filed m 9, 1928, Serial No.

This invention relates to an improved scale ing and pressure reliefdevice adapted "for use in fluid pressure systems having parts subjectedto different fluid pressures.v

A liquid seal as for example a U-tube partially filled with a liquid isa well known expedient for maintaining a substantially con-.

. stant pressure difference between two parts of such a system. Where aseal of this nature also acts as a pressure relief device, gas

' part of the sealing liquid is often expelled must at times passthrough the tube. Experience has shown that when this occurs effectiveto properly perform its functions. An object of the presentl inventionis to provide a combined sealing and relief device .in which this'difiiculty is overcome by the provision of means for maintaining aconstant amount of sealing liquid therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid seal andpressure relief device of this nature which is reversible, that is, onein which an effective seal is maintalned regardless of which sidethereof is subjected to the higher pressure.

Other objects and. advantages Wlll appear hereinafter.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the drawing aliixedhereto and forming part of" my specification.

In the drawing'the Figs. 1 to 3 show the device in diagram in threedifferent stages of o eration.

Li e parts are'indicated by like numerals of reference throughout allthe figures.

Referring to the drawing, 1 is the chamber or container in which thehigher pressure prevails, 2 the chamber of lower pressure. The chambers1 and 2 serve as reservoirs for sealing liquid used in the device aswill appear hereinafter. The upper endof a- 1pc- 3 communicates with aU-shaped pipe aving the limbs t and 5, while the lower end is connectedto another U-shaped pipe consisting of the limbs 6 and 7. The limbs aand 6 1 are connected to the chamber 1 and the limbs 5 and 7 to thechamber 2.

- When the pressure in thechamber l rises above a predetermined amount,the level of 291,409, and in Germany m 19, 1927.

This condition is shown in Fig. 2. The pipes are made as small'indiameter as possible not only to effect a saving in the amount of sealmgliquid, which is usually mercury, but also .to cause the-circulation ofthe liquid upon the passa e of as into the limb 5. As the gas enters t elim 5 the wei ht of liquid n the branch 7 is greater than t at in 5 anda circulation is produced by gravity. Upon the (gas entering thechamber- 2 it is separate from the liquid and passes out through thepipe 9. The liquid e'ected from the pipe 5 drops back into the limb 7and returns through the third pipe 3 into the limbs 4 and 5 and thusagain stops the communication between them. If the excess pressurecontinues the particles of liquid are continuously moved upwards in thelimb 5 and return through the pipe 7, as shown in Fig.2. As shown inFig. 3, when in excess pressure develops in the chamber 2, the directionof movement of the gas sealing liquid is reversed, the gas then passinginto the chamber 1 and the sealing liquid circulatin in the branches 4and 6 instead of in the Eranches 5 and 7. By a suitable choice of thesliderence 1n elevation of the chambers 1- and 2,

it is thus possible to cause the pass'a e of the gas from one chamberinto the ot er, at .a predetermined pressure difference.

While the above illustration discloses only the use of the device forsealing and relievmg gas, the invention is not limited thereto, beingequally well adapted for use with chambers filled with a liquid, theonly difference being that then a heavier sealing liquid necting pipes 8and 9. In the example illustrated the chambers 1 and 2 have sphericalshape, but it will be readily understood that they may have any othersuitable shape. 'In any case the result will be that no sealing liquidis able to escape in whatever position thesealing device is installed.

Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from thespirit and D the scopeof'the invention, and I desire,

therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as areimposedby the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a liquid seal between two gas spaces of different pressure, incombination, a chamber in communication with the space of higherpressure, a chamber in communication with a space of lower pressure, aU- shaped pipe in communication with both said chambers, a secondU-shaped pipe in communication with both said chambers, the. limbs ofone of said U-shaped pipes opening into said chambers at differentpoints from the limbs of the other of said U-shaped pipes, a connectingpipe between the lowest points of both said pipes, a sealing liquid inall of said pipes, pipes connecting said chambers with said spaces ofdifferent pressure, and

- extending into said chambers to such an extent, that sealing liquid isunable to escape in any position of sa d ipe system.

2. Acombined liqui sealing and pressure relief device including a pairof chambers adapted to'be' connected to parts of a fluid pressure systemsubjected to diii'erentfluid pressures, a pair of bent pipes havingtheir upper ends connected to said reservoirs and their lower portionsdisposed at difi'erent 40 levels, a and means for interconnecting thelower portions of said pipes.

3. A combined liquid sealing and pressure relief device including a pairof U-shaped pipes adapted to be connected to parts of a fluid pressuresystem subjected to different fluid pressures, the limbs of said pipesbeing vertically disposed and the lower portions being horizontal and atdifferent levels and a vertically dis osed pipe interconnect- :0 ingsaid lower horizontal portions of said U-sha ed pipes.

4. 1g combined liquid sealing and ressure relief device including a pairof -shaped pipes adapted to be connected to parts of a 68 fluid pressuresystem. subjected to different fluid pressures, the limbs of said pipesbeing vertically disposed and the lower portions being horizontal and atdifferent levels and means for interconnecting said lower horifw' zontalportions of said U-shaped pipes.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature.

DMUN D ALTENKIRCH.

